Best Areas to Live in Calgary

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Sliver

lol those north areas are 10x worse for traffic. I lived in the nw for about 30 years...the south is way better for traffic, multiple/alternate routes.

Let's not label an entire area of the south as better than the north.

I live in the NW and my access to Crowchild, Stoney Tr and 16th ave kills all my friends in the south. I'm also on the Ctrain and closer to McMahon, downtown, the mountains, U of C. Pretty much everything is better about my area than the areas of the deep south that my friends live in. The only thing they have better is there are a few more good pubs close to them compared to me.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Let's not label an entire area of the south as better than the north.

I live in the NW and my access to Crowchild, Stoney Tr and 16th ave kills all my friends in the south. I'm also on the Ctrain and closer to McMahon, downtown, the mountains, U of C. Pretty much everything is better about my area than the areas of the deep south that my friends live in. The only thing they have better is there are a few more good pubs close to them compared to me.

Yeah fair enough.

Country Hills and Harvest Hills are two neighbourhoods that guy mentioned and they don't have good access to anything except for strip malls, which everyone in Calgary has good access to.

Any deep north or deep south neighbourhood has kind of crappy access.

When I said the south has better access I was thinking more of Willow Park, Bonavista and Parkland, among others. Super quick access to Deerfoot, LRT, amenities, Anderson, MacLeod, 22x, Fish Creek, etc.

[Mass_nerder]

I live just across 50th from Elboya, which is #1 in that avenue article, in Windsor Park.
Great access to the core whether you're driving, taking the bus, or a 15min bike rid. You're 5 min walk from Chinook and Stanley Park (amazing rink in the winter), 20 min walk, or 5 minute drive to all the trendy shops and restaurants on 4th street, which is the new hip area in my opinion.

I grew up in the subburbs, and I don't think I could ever go back...I love living here.

[corporatejay]

Anything north of glenmore between crowchild and macleod trial on the south side of the river.

Anything south of 16th avenue between crowchild and centre street on the north side of the river.


Those are just general guidelines.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by MattyC

@ Tyler: He said he'd like to get away from the suburb idea.

When you live in Dewinton, Bridlewood is practically the beltline

[malcolmk14]

I live in the westhills area but I'm keeping my eye out for places in mission, looking to move down there next year.

[Rathji]

On the topic: If I was moving into the city, and wanted to live some place close to central with reasonable access to Chinook, Downtown etc, I would consider Garrison Woods. Also on my radar would be Riverbend and Quarry Park, but I am a family guy, so that factors in for me.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

I live just across 50th from Elboya, which is #1 in that avenue article, in Windsor Park.
Great access to the core whether you're driving, taking the bus, or a 15min bike rid. You're 5 min walk from Chinook and Stanley Park (amazing rink in the winter), 20 min walk, or 5 minute drive to all the trendy shops and restaurants on 4th street, which is the new hip area in my opinion.

I grew up in the subburbs, and I don't think I could ever go back...I love living here.

Sounds nice. Is there a lot of one bedroom apartments available around there though? I remember that being quite more of a residential area. Its probably expensive as well. Could work well for my needs and my commute though.

[calgaryrocks]

mission always sounds like a great place to be, thats where i am looking at moving this summer, perfect for singles/young couples

[4X4]

Windsor Park is ok, considering that you work by Chinook, but there isn't really much "going on" around there. I guess the Back Alley is close. Lol. O Sullivans too.

I like Marda Loop/Altadore. There are quite a few pubs scattered around the area, and it's only a few $ cab ride to 17th. I've lived much closer to the action, and while I liked the proximity, I didn't like the lack of parking for myself or for when I have a few people over. Once you get a few more blocks out of the immediate DT, and into the areas that don't require parking passes, you get the best of both worlds.

A buddy of mine used to live in Sunnyside. That area is pretty fun. Well, finding parking isn't fun, but once you do, it's a great area.

[THE SCUD]

I would say Mission or Marda Loop, or Garrison Woods if you can afford it (not Garrison Greens, that's a sad imitation, unless you like walking to Tim Hortons and a Volvo dealer)

[Jodester]

Take a look in Eau Claire. Right down by the river, great access to the pathways and rivers, a small walk to Kensinton or, you are in the downtown area. Eau Claire mall sucks but there are plenty of pubs a little further south.
Lots of high rise apartments and some great deals on 1 and 2 bedroom units. You just have to look for them.
2 minutes to the train which can take you right down to Chinook.

[Wise Gamble]

Gonna be tough to compete with Kits, but good luck with whatever you choose.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I used to live in Victoria Park just off of 15th and that's a perfect area to be in for ages 18-25. Lets face it, in that age bracket that's where you want to be at. Stumble home - nuff said.

For the 25-35+ bracket, if you want to have something with a little more of a neighborhood feel I'd recommend Hillhurst/Sunnyside. Think townhouses vs 7 story apartment condos. Streets where kids play. People out doing lawn work. That kind of thing.

PROS
- lots of pubs and restaurants to meetup with friends
- Many walkable grocery and retail options. (not as much as 17th)
- neighborhood feel.
- Just out of the hardcore party zone.
- awesome transit options. There are like 6-8 bus routes to choose from + LRT
- 15 minute walk to Eaton's center if you work downtown.
- Chicken-on-the way!

CONS
- farther from 17th if that's where your friends like to go.
- rent on a townhouse is about 1500 unfurnished. Is probably higher than Mission. Not as many apartments so again, rent may be higher.
- not as many bars and pubs as 17th.
- shops and restaurants are slightly stagnant compared to 17th where it seems like there's something new every month.



EDIT rentfaster.ca is a great tool for finding stuff BTW.

[octothorp]

I had a friend moving here from Edmonton and we found her a great place in Crescent Heights: between center street and edmonton trail, there are a lot of small apartment buildings; you're within walking distance of Center Street, the cool part of Edmonton trail, Bridgeland, Kensington, and Chinatown/Eau Claire. It really is a great middle-of-everywhere location, although it isn't as hip as the beltline.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Yeah fair enough.

Country Hills and Harvest Hills are two neighbourhoods that guy mentioned and they don't have good access to anything except for strip malls, which everyone in Calgary has good access to.

Any deep north or deep south neighbourhood has kind of crappy access.

When I said the south has better access I was thinking more of Willow Park, Bonavista and Parkland, among others. Super quick access to Deerfoot, LRT, amenities, Anderson, MacLeod, 22x, Fish Creek, etc.

Really. Ever heard of the largest mall this side of west ed? I can get there in 10 minutes. I can also get to downtown in 20, the Airport in 7 minutes, I could probably make it halfway to Banff before you could make it to Olympic park(which I can get to in 12 minutes)

Listen, Due to my buseness I know this city better than most city planners, I lived in Parkland and Sundance and the south is far worst for traffic, especially in rush hour.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Rathji

On the topic: If I was moving into the city, and wanted to live some place close to central with reasonable access to Chinook, Downtown etc, I would consider Garrison Woods. Also on my radar would be Riverbend and Quarry Park, but I am a family guy, so that factors in for me.

Check out Garrison Green. Lots of young professionals here and a nice quiet neighbourhood with easy access everywhere.

[THE SCUD]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Check out Garrison Green. Lots of young professionals here and a nice quiet neighbourhood with easy access everywhere.

He can't walk anywhere though, living there. It's either pony up the bucks and buy in Garrison Woods, or go home.

[troutman]

I like Kensington (Sunnyside, Hillhurst, West Hillhurst). There actually is no neighbourhood called Kensington. You can walk to bars, restaurants, cafes. Riley Park is nice in the summer. The Bow River pathways are close by. Prince's Island. There is a Safeway and LRT station. You can walk downtown. SAIT and the Jubilee are just up the hill.

Chicken on the Way, FTW.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

He can't walk anywhere though, living there. It's either pony up the bucks and buy in Garrison Woods, or go home.

Directed at Rathji. He wouldn't likely walk downtown or to chinook from Garrison Woods.